The death of Georgia Congressman and Democrat David Scott, who died at 80 Tuesday, April 21, provoked a memory from many years ago.
I first met Rep Scott at the Atlanta Press Club when he was a newly elected Democratic representative in the Georgia General Assembly. He was a likeable friendly guy, and we joked that despite having the same name we had distinctly differing political beliefs.
At the time I was employed by IBM in the media relations department of the Atlanta Headquarters of its General System Division that designed, manufactured, and marketed computer systems to medium and small businesses.
Many years later at a gathering at an Atlanta watering hole a former editor at the Atlanta Journal Constitution told me, “Dave, we received press release from IBM, that I handed to a new reporter telling him to contact David Scott and see if we can find a stronger local angle on this.”
“He came back later and told me: ‘David Scott doesn’t know much about this, but he wants to comment anyway.” Instead of calling my phone number on the release the reporter had called Rep. Scott’s office.
A true politician, Scott was the first African American ever to chair the House Agriculture Committee. He had just filed for his 13th term in office. He was a genuinely nice guy.
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Covered Up In Cats: A front-page headline in the April 17 bi-weekly Fernandina Beach News Leader read “City sues resident after 21 cats surrendered”.
My first thoughts were what crime did those cats commit and did they give up with their little paws in the air and waving tiny white flags?
It turns out that a local resident was keeping more than 20 cats on his property without adequate food, water, or care. He’s currently being sued by the city for $30,000 – $50,000 for the treatment and care of the pathetic feline hostages.
I’m not sure, but folks interested in taking in one of these poor critters could probably call the local Humane Society and inquire.
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The Hate America Crowd: Based on their public rantings and recent polls today’s Democrat party members would be more ashamed of being seen standing during the playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner” than of being caught stealing from the church’s poor box.
They condemn President Trump not because he’s wrong but because he’s right. Because his methods work and theirs don’t. They hate that. So, they rant, rave, yell, and scream, out of frustration because there is nothing they can do.
Democrats’ past failures include a porous border, a humiliating Afghanistan retreat, failed Iranian nuclear agreements, rising crime, college campuses riddled with hateful antisemites, inflation, gender mutilation, people who think men can have babies, sanctuary cities for illegal criminal aliens, massive fraud, etc. They are all testimony to their party’s ineffectiveness and incompetent leadership.
As evidence of their ineptitude and frustration they march around wearing silly hats and animal costumes carrying signs saying, “No kings.” They accomplish nothing, but it feels good in the moment. The marchers can’t explain why they’re there or what they hope to accomplish. Their rallies resemble group therapy gone terribly wrong.
The Democrat party has recruited a fringe social quackery and militant faction of unhinged insufferable nitwit activists. It is populated by a voter base of people who hate America.
In Iran President Trump has so far accomplished what seven previous presidents said they wanted to do but didn’t. And it is driving Democrats even more insane.
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It’s All In The Book: Anyone that has ever read Donald Trump’s book “The Art of the Deal” shouldn’t be surprised at his offensive style.
“Sometimes it pays to be a little wild,” he wrote.
Those that know him best say that he relies on those he is negotiating with to take his behavior at face value, losing their nerve, and getting emotional. “Driven to distraction by his outrageous statements, they lose the capacity to focus on their own interests,” they say.
It appears to work.
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The Good ‘Ole Days: As I was cleaning out a desk drawer recently, I happened across menus I used to keep handy to give visiting friends and relatives.
As I glanced over a few of them, I realized how much things have changed the past few years.
When I moved here permanently in 2011 the 31 North Street Crab Trap was a favorite hangout. It was there I met two of my favorite locals, Boat Captain Pajamadave Voorhees and hotelier Bob Ramshaw, who was general manager of the South 2nd Street Hampton Inn.
The 15-year-old menus reflect the changes.
For example, the Crab Trap’s August 2016 menu advertised “Football Thursday” featuring “cold Beer, Bud Light, and Miller Lite drafts $1.00” and 50 cent wings with a one dozen minimum. A bucket of raw “U-Shuck oysters was $15.99.
On Wednesdays there were always wing specials for 50 cents and draft beers for a buck. The late and affable Richard “Choo Choo” Germano owned the Crab Trap back then and PJ Dave once worked as a bartender for him as did pretty barkeep Melanie Palmer.
Halftime was the area’s lone sports bar, and it’s never been successfully replicated. It was owned at time by T.J. Pellitier and Al Waldis who went on to open the wildly successful Salty Pelican. Pajamadave now runs the infamous PJD Beer & Wine Garden at 12 South 2nd Street.
Another menu I discovered with prices and a place that is history was the former Sandy Bottoms at Main Beach owned by the late Claude Hartley. It advertised happy hour Sunday – Thursday from 2- 6 p.m. A dozen chicken wings were $14.39. It had the best thin crust pizza anywhere and a cheeseburger with one side for just $10.99. It’s now part of chain and named Sandbar.
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Hail To The Redskins: Radio talk show host, Republican and potential candidate for D.C. City Council, John Frederick, may have a winning formula.
He’s pledging to agree with President Trump for the NFL team there to revert to its old name “Redskins.”
Even native Americans dislike the silly new name and agree that the old name “Redskins” would be preferable.
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Speaking Of Sports: No matter what the leftist whackos screech, the undeniable logic of banning males from participating in women’s sports isn’t the same as banning transgenders from sports.
Transgender folks aren’t banned from sports they are simply limited to competing with others like them – like everyone else.
For example, an adult can’t participate in little league baseball or Pop Warner football. A heavyweight boxer can’t compete against a featherweight. Men and women can’t compete in the Kentucky Derby, no matter what sex they are.
Women’s sports will not survive if folks pretend that sex is irrelevant .
Another excellent read Dave
Keep up the great work and history memorabilia
We arrived on Amelia at about the same time